Sep 9
Cookies and vitamins
“God saved you by His grace when you believed. You can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it” Ephesians 2:8-9 (New Living Translation)
I had to snicker at myself yesterday. Someone brought in a lot of cookies to work and I “tried” to have one (to be polite, of course). Well, that “one” turned into nine. I decided that would be my lunch, so I had to have two more to get me through the afternoon. The funny part is that I am trying to eat healthy, and I take certain vitamins after breakfast and lunch. So, right after my eleventh cookie, I went to the fountain to take vitamins. I chuckled thinking, “what the heck am I doing!?”
Many times we think God is keeping track of the good and bad things that we do. If we are being more good than bad, then He loves us a little more on that day, which entitles us to more prayers answered in our favor. Then we feel that there’s a grand tally at the end of our lives, if we were good enough, then we can earn heaven.
The reason we work on making good choices and following God’s principles, “being good”, isn’t to get Him on our side. He’s on our side if by faith we ask Him to rescue us, and receive the gift of salvation through what Jesus did for us (see “Start the Victory” a top Victory247.org). Instead, the reason that He laid out those principles in the bible is to give us guidelines to a fulfilling life.
God wants us to be less concerned about a ledger of good and bad, and more concerned about delving deeper into a close relationship with Him. He wants to hear our hearts, and wants us to hear and know His. It’s not a dietary contest of cookies verses vitamins. It’s a friendship with the Master Chef, get to know Him and eat from His menu as much as possible.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, teach me how to know You more. Thank You that You are “for me”, and on my side. Help me to understand that following Your principles is a chance to let You protect and provide for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.